Prepare the rice, if you are making it. Remove the shrimp and peppers from the marinade, discarding the marinade, and thread the shrimp, peppers and pineapple chunks onto metal skewers, alternating the shrimp, then pineapple chunks, then peppers until all the shrimp and peppers are used. Reserve extra pineapple chunks to serve on the side.

Grill or broil the skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the shrimp is cooked through.

Going Further

Preparing meals at home can be challenging for busy families. I have experienced this firsthand since returning to work part time after my son was born. There are nights where my husband and I are too worn out to cook so we resort to frozen meals. I can only imagine the struggle full-time working parents or caretakers face when it comes to family mealtimes! We’ve all heard about the importance of cooking at home and taking time to meal plan, but let’s be honest, it’s not easy!

Since returning to work I’ve used the following short cuts to help me get a healthful home cooked meal on the table for my family:

Frozen vegetables – I use these regularly for a quick and easy side. Season with salt and pepper, lemon juice or your favorite seasoning blend.
Are you feeling motivated to start preparing meals at home for your family? Try this quick and easy recipe my family enjoyed last week! I served it with brown rice and a side of microwaved frozen edamame with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Bagged salads – another simple side to pair with frozen pizza or pasta.

The Scramble – A meal planning site that you can subscribe to for roughly $2/week. It provides weekly menus with shopping lists and helpful tips. Visit www.thescramble.com
for more information.

Meal Delivery Service- I’ve used Hello Fresh on occasion when I don’t have time to grocery shop and meal plan. The food and recipes are delivered right to your doorstep. All you need to do is follow the directions!

Grill- this has been a lifesaver for me! I’m lucky to have a husband who enjoys the grill. I’ll season the meat/vegetables and leave the rest up to him! Teamwork is key to feeding a family.

What quick tips and tricks work for your family?

About Eileen Thomas

Eileen Thomas is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and is Board Certified as a Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and earned her bachelor’s degree in nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After college she worked for 7 years in the WIC (Women, Infant and Children) nutrition supplemental program helping families make healthy lifestyle choices before packing her bags and moving to Dallas. Prior to joining the Lemond Nutrition team, Eileen worked as a clinical pediatric dietitian at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Eileen is now a certified dietitian coach for the LEAN Freedom wellness program.

Eileen loves sharing her knowledge of nutrition and helping individuals and families achieve their own unique nutritional goals. Her perspective on food and nutrition is “everything in moderation.” In addition to talking about nutrition, Eileen enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking up healthy meals for family and friends. She is married to her husband, Bart, and just welcomed a baby boy in November 2017.